Holding frame for concrete forms and the like



Aug. 10, 1954 L. L. PETERSON 2,685,724

HOLDING FRAME FOR CONCRETE FORMS AND THE LIKE Y Filed May 4, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 LOU/S L. PETERSON 7 INVENTO/P HUEBNER, BEEHLER,

' WO/PREL a HERZIG 5 ATTORNEYS Aug. 10, 1954 L. L. PETERSON 2,685,724

HOLDING FRAME FOR CONCRETE FORMS AND THE LIKE Filed May 4, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LOU/S L. PETERSON /Nl EN7'0R 5. 211: in" E Patented Aug. 10, 1954 HOLDING FRAME FOR CONCRETE FORMS AND THE LIKE Louis L. Peterson, Dos Palos, Calif.

Application May 4, 1951, Serial No. 224,569

4 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to construction forms and more particularly to a combined form, for concrete and the like, and a holding frame therefor characterized by convenient assembly and dieassembly.

L1 homes and other buildings, the foundations or footings are frequently of inverted. T shape, in cross section, and are positioned in predetermined arrangement to provide desired support. Such foundations frequently conform to the outline of the outer walls of the structure. In order to form such foundations or footings, forms are set up into which concrete is poured and permitted to set. The forms usually include a pair of parallel elongated rectangular outer lower panels which are rested edgewardly on the ground or soil on which the foundation is to be formed. Another pair of like panels are set in parallel relation upwardly and inwardly of the lower spaced panels and symmetrical thereto with the lower edges of the inner panels level with upper edges of the lower outer panels. The two pairs of lower outer panels and upper inner panels are conventionally maintained in the desired relationship by rather complex jury structure that is expensive and time consuming to install, not always dependable, and may take as many forms as there are workmen involved in its construction. Such jury structure is usually of wood and nail construction and when it has been once used, it is usually disassembled by unnailing the interconnecting members, which are subsequently thrown away, and only the elongated panels salvaged for re-use. This has been found to be a wasteful and uneconomical practice. It has been found highly beneficial to provide means for re-using concrete forms in their entirety in consecutively forming a plurality of foundations or footings for a succession of buildings.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved concrete form that is readily knocked down and reassembled.

Another object is to minimize the waste of form material in the construction of concrete foundations and the like.

Another object is to minimize the labor conventionally required to construct foundation forms and to remove such forms subsequent to the formation of a foundation or the like therein.

Another object is to simplify foundation form construction and as an incident thereto to minimize inaccuracies incident to human error.

Another object is to provide a concrete form thatis constructed in a manner that is conducive to convenient re-use in forming a succession of foundations or footings.

Another object is to provide a frame for bolding concrete confining panels in predetermined relation which is economical to produce, convenient to employ, and may readily be salvaged in its entirety for re-use.

Another object is to provide a frame for holding concrete foundations forms that is readily foldable to and from operable positions.

Another object is to provide a holding frame for concrete forms having a plurality of form mounting posts therein selectively movable to adjustable spaced relation and constrained to parallel relation during such movement.

Another object is to provide a holding frame for concrete forms which is compactly collapsible for transporting and storing convenience.

Other objects will become apparent in the subsequent description in the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional perspective of a concrete foundation form embodying the principles of the present invention including a plurality of elongated horizontally extending spaced parallel panels for confining poured concrete held in desired positions by a plurality of form-holding frames.

Fig. 2 is a top plan of one of the form-holding frames of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an edge elevation of a form holding frame.

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section through a concrete foundation and its form showing a holding frame in said elevation.

Fig. 5 is a section similar to Fig. 4 but showing the concrete form partially removed therefrom.

Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 4 but showing a second form of the present invention in which the spaced parallel panels are held by a parallelogram frame so that the panels retain their parallel relationship regardless of the spacing therebetween.

Fig. 7 is a section similar to Fig. 6 and showing the second form of the invention partially removed from the concrete foundation formed therein.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing:

The concrete form of the present invention, being indicated generally by the reference numeral I0, is adapted to confine poured concrete to an inverted T shape in cross section to form a foundation or footing indicated generally by the reference numeral I! in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing. The foundation H is of course, also 3 of inverted T shape in cross section substantially its entire length and conventionally follows the general shape of the outer walls of a building which it adapted to support.

The concrete form ii! basically comprises a pair of lower outer boards or panels it which are rectangular in form. T ese boards conveniently are of 1 by 6, l by 8, 1 by 12, 2 by 6 or other suitable wooden material. Obviously, steel, aluminum or other suitable material. may be utilized if desired. The lower outer boards to are conventionally located longitudinally horizontally with one edge rested on the ground it and extended edgewardly vertically in parallel spaced relation. These lower outer boards are adapted to confine poured concrete therebetween for forming the base portion of the foundation ii.

Another pair of panels ll similar to the lower out r panels to, herein nominally called upper inner panels, are located longitudinally in a horizontal direction and edgewardly vertical in parallel relation with their lower edges substantially level with the upper edge of the lower outer panels and being equally distant from a center line between the lower outer panels to or in other words being symmetrical therewith. These upper inner panels ii are adapted to contain poured concrete to form the leg portion of the T shape cross section of the foundation ii.

The lower outer panels i and the upper inner panels ll are adapted to be maintained in their spaced parallel and symmetrical relation by being mounted on a. frame of generally inverted l-shape and indicated generally by the reference numeral 2s. A plurality of these frames 2i! are provided in spaced relation longitudinally of the panels i5 and il.

Each frame 223 includes a pair of elongated legs 2! of wood or other substantially rigid material pivotally interconnected adjacent corresponding ends thereof, as at 22, by means of a pivot bolt. The legs may be angularly adjusted relative to each other. The lower outer panels i5 are attached to the frame 23 by securing a lower outer post or bracket 23 to each of the legs 2i by means of a bolt 2d passing through the upper end of each post or bracket 23 and each leg iii. A horizontal strut 25 is secured between a lower portion of each post or bracket 23 and its respective leg 2i means of a bolt 25 passed through the inner end or each strut and a lower portion of its respective strut 25 and a bolt 2i passing through the outer end of each strut and its respective leg iii. The interconnected vertical post or brackets strut 25, and leg 2i, form a rigid triangle so that the angularity between each post or bracket 23 and its respective leg 2i is securely maintained. As will subsequently become apparent, a plurality of holding frames 2b are usually employed in alignment and the lower outer panels i5 nailed or otherwise releasably secured to corresponding lower posts or brackets 23 of the successive frames. When the lower posts or brackets 23 are mounted in fixed angular relation to t eir respective legs 25, as just described. the angular relation is preferably carefully determined so that when th panels iii mounted thereon are in desired spaced relation, the posts or brackets are in substantially erect parallel. relation.

A pair of inner upper vertical posts or brackets 33 are attached to the legs 2i in a manner similar to the lower outer posts or brackets 23 but upwardly and inwardly therefrom. Each post or bracket 33 is bolted at 3 at its upper end to a respective leg i. A horizontal strut 35 extends horizontall between each vertical post or bracket and its respective leg 2! and is bolted at 36 to ts post or bracket 33 and at 3? to its respective eg 2 i. It will be observed that each of the upper csts or brackets 33 is rigidly mounted on its leg in parallel relation to said legs respective lower post. One of the inner upper panels ii is releasably secured to the inner face of each of the upper inner posts or brackets 33 and the triangular relationship between each vertical post or bracket 33 and its respective strut Elli and leg 25 maintain the parallel relationship between the upper inner panels ll when the angular relation of the legs is such that the panels to are parallel. The upper inner boards ll are preferably secured to the posts or brackets is in a manner so that the upper edges of the lower outer panels l5 and the lower edges of the upper inner panels ii are in a common horizontal plane.

The concrete form it, when set up or positioned to receive poured concrete, appears as illustrated in Fig. l of the drawing. In this condition, the panels l5 and i! are positioned at predetermined distances apart and when in such spaced relationship are also in p llel relation.

In order to hold the panels l5 and il in desired fixed spaced relation a plurality wooden or other suitable stakes iii are driven into the ground it closely adjacent to the outer faces of the panels i5 and the panels i5 thereafter nailed or otherwise secured to the stakes. After the concrete has been poured into the space between the panels it and il and pe'mitted to harden, the stakes are detached from the panels i5 and removed from the ground so that the concrete form be removed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5. The legs are pivoted outwardly and the panels carried outwardly away from the foundation. it will be apparent that the panels l5 ll may be left in place in the holding frames 2%] for successive use on a similar foundation or removed therefrom for compact transportation and storage and/ or inodi ication of the lengths of the panels to and i? as for foundaticns of different plan size or shape.

Although the mounting frame 26 has been described as preferably secured in position with the legs 2! constrained to desired angular relation by means of the stakes till, it will be apparent that means other than the stakes be employed for effectively resisting spreading of the panels i5 and it and increase in angular relation of the legs. Such an optional means is shown at All in Fig. 1 consisting of a wire or other tension member interconnecting the posts or brackets 23 or lower ends of the legs 2! so as to limit outward movement thereof. When such a wire is er pioyed, the form is conveniently released simply by cutting the wire and leaving it embedded in the foundation.

Second form A second form of the invention is illustrated in and 'l of the drawing in which the panels are mounted on parallelogram frames c that the panels are in parallel relation regardless of the distances therebetween. This form of the frame is somewhat more complex than the first form but still possesses adequate simplicity and readily adjusted to various foundation wi hs. The frames 35 employ a pair of elongated legs 56 of substantially equal length which are pivotally interconnected at it adjacent to corresponding ends and diverge downwardly therefrom to straddle the panels is and. H. A

vertical post or bracket 55 is pivoted at 56 substantially midway of its length on each of the outer ends of each of the legs 46. The posts or brackets 55 each have a downwardly extended panel attaching portion 58 and an upwardly extended arm portion 59. The lower outer panels I 5 are attached to the inner faces of downwardly extending panel attaching portions 55 of the posts or brackets 55.

An inner vertical post or bracket 55 is pivotally attached at 51 to each of the legs 46 at a position between the pivotal interconnection 41 of the legs and the pivotal interconnection 56 of the outer posts or brackets 55 to the legs. The inner posts or brackets 60 each have a downwardly extended panel attaching portion 62 and an upwardly extended arm portion 63. The upper inner panels I? are attached to the inner faces of the downwardly extended panel attachin portions 62 of the inner posts or brackets 60.

A spacer member 56 is pivotally connected to the common interconnection 47 of the legs 45 and extends vertically therefrom. The spacer member 55, the outer vertical posts or brackets 55, and the inner vertical posts or brackets 50 are maintained constantly in parallel relation by a pair of elongated tie members 57. The tie members 57 are pivotally interconnected and pivotally connected to the upper end of the spacer member 55 by means of a pivot bolt 68 passed therethrough. The tie members are individually pivotally connected at 59 to the upper ends of the inner posts 53 and are pivotally connected at ill to the upper ends of the outer arms 59.

The distances between corresponding pivotal connections of the legs 45 and the tie members 51 to the outer posts or brackets 55, inner posts 55, and spacer member 66 are substantially equal so that a plurality of parallelograms are formed thereby, as shown. With the lower outer panels l5 attached to the inner faces of the panel attaching portions 58 of the outer posts or brackets 55 and with the upper inner panels H attached to the inner faces of the panel attaching portions 62 of the inner posts 60, the panels l5 and the panels I! are maintained in parallel relation to each other and are maintained in symmetrical relation at equal distances from a line bisecting the angularity of the legs 46. Thus, regardless of the width of the foundation desired to be formed by the concrete foundation form, the panels I5 and I! are maintained in parallel and symmetrical relation.

The second form of the present invention is installed much in the same manner as the first form except that the second form is expansible and contractible to define desired foundation widths. The frames 45 are arranged in erect positions in alignment longitudinally of a foundation sight and one side thereof located in position by driving a stake 13 into the ground adjacent to one of the outer posts or brackets 55. It is the usual practice to nail, tie or otherwise secure the post to its stake. The frame is expanded until the posts or brackets 55 and 60 are in desired spaced relation and the opposite outer posts or brackets 55 secured in position by means of another stake is also driven into the ground. It is of course desirable to plumb one of the posts so that it is in a vertical position which automatically vertically positions all of the other posts. The panels l5 and I! are releasably nailed, bolted, or otherwise secured to the panel attaching portions 58 or 62 before or after positioning of the frames 45, as desired.

Operation The operation and utility of the present invention are believed to be apparent from the foregoing description and are briefly summarized at this point. In the use of the foundation form, either of the construction as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusively of the drawing or that illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawing, it is desirable to locate longitudinal lower outer panels H3 in parallel relation supported on the ground or other surface. It is also desirable that the elongated upper inner panels I! be located in parallel relation at positions inwardly equi-distant from a vertical center line between the lower outer panels 5 with the lower edges of the upper inner panels I1 approximately at the same horizontal plane as the upper edges of the lower outer panels l5.

A plurality of foundation form holding frames 25, as illustrated and described, are placed vertically in spaced relation longitudinally of the intended location of a foundation to be formed thereby. The lower outer panels l5 are attached, as by nailing, to the inner faces of respective lower outer posts or brackets 23 of the frames 20 and the upper inner panels II are attached to the inner faces of respective upper inner posts or brackets 33 of the frame 25. In the first form of the invention, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusively of the drawings, the respective pairs of panels 55 and ll must be located'a predetermined distance apart in order to obtain their parallel relation. But in the second form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawing, this parallel relation of the pairs of panels l5-and ii is maintained regardless of the relative spacing of the panels.

With the panels :5 and ii secured to their respective posts and located in supporting relation on the ground and constrained to predetermined position by the stakes 40 or 73, fluid concrete is poured into the spaces between the panels [5 and l! and trowelled or floated flush with the upper edges of the panels.

When the concrete has become set or hardened, the stakes All are removed from the ground. So released, the legs 2i, or 46 may be pivoted outwardly as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7 of the drawing, withdrawing the panels from the set concrete mass. It will be observed that the panels i5 and I? and the frames are maintained as an integral unit when desired so that the unit may be moved from one location to another and readily set up at its new location for successive use. Thus, a unit of panels l5 and l? and frames may be used over and over to form a plurality of concrete foundations which facilitate convenient and economical foundation form setting.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and structures.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a form for concrete building foundation construction the combination of a lower pair of substantially rectangular fiat panels arranged in substantially transversely erect longitudinally parallel relation, an upper pair of substantially rectangular flat panels arranged in substantially transversely erect longitudinally horizontal parallel relation, the upper panels being spaced at distance less t ran the lower panels and having lower edges at substantially the same elevation as the upper edges of the lower panels, a plurality of pairs of elongated legs arranged in substantially erect planes transversely of the panels, the legs of each pair being interconnected for pivotal movement about an axis substantially longitudinal of the panels and elevated thereabove and having lower ends downwardly extended on opposite sides of the pair of lower panels, posts mounted on the legs and downwardly extended therefrom externally adjacent to each of the panels of each pair, means con nected to the posts constraining the posts to i substantially equal angular relation with their respective legs, and ground engaging means connected to each the posts outwardly adjacent to the lower of panels and maintaining said posts in substantially erect positions.

2. In a form for concrete building foundation construction the combination of a lower pair of substantially rectangular fiat panels arranged in substantially transversely erect longitudinally parallel relation, an upper pair of substantially rectangular flat panels arranged in substantial- 1y transversely erect longitudinally horizontal parallel relation, the upper panels being spaced at distance less than the lower panels and having lower edges at substantially the same elevation as the upper edges of the lower panels, a pair of pivotally interconnected legs arranged in a substantially erect plane in transverse spanning relation to the panels, vertical posts mounted on the legs and having the panels mounted thereon, and flexible tension means interconnecting the posts in abutting relation to the lower pair of panels in fixed spaced relation.

3.. In aiorm for concrete foundation construction, the combination of a pair of elongated legs having spaced ends and pivotally interconnected opposite ends, said legs :being arranged in a substantially erect plane, a plurality of posts pivotally mounted on the legs in spaced relation to the pivotally interconnected ends thereof and upwardly and downwardly extended therefrom, a tie member in parallel relation to each of the legs pivotally interconnected to the upwardly extended ends of the posts, said tie members having pivotally connected ends in Vertical alignment with the pivotally interconnected end portions of the legs, and substantially vertical ground engaging stakes individually connected longitudinally to a post of each leg.

4. In a form for concrete foundation construction, a frame adapted to locate elongated fiat panels to confine concrete, comprising a pair of angularly related elongated legs having pivotally interconnected end portions and divergently extended opposite end portions, posts rigidly mounted on the legs and extended from their respective legs between the legs, the posts mounted on each leg being in substantially parallel relation, embracing struts rigidly interconnecting the extended end of each post and its respective leg, and means connected to the legs rele sably constraining the legs to adjusted angular relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

